Announcing: Project “Can’t Sing – Plant a Tree”
Japanese Maple Tree
“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.
The second best time is now.”
from SharonG:
Hi Fan Scene Readers!!
So, I read “Chords of Strength” while riding the train from my hometown to NYC on June 1st and making my way to David’s booksiging at Border’s. His words “And remember, even when you can’t sing, you can always plant a tree….” (page 240) left quite an impression on me – I just couldn’t get them out of my mind!! I thought – what a totally cool and poignant way to end “Chords of Strength” (well, just before the musical appendix, anyway)…!! As David signed my second copy of his book at Border’s on June 2nd, I told him that when I got home, I planned to plant a tree and whether David realized it or not, I had just made a promise to him that I fully intended to keep!! Did I keep that promise, you might ask?? You bet I did!! I live in an apartment so planting a tree at the location of my apartment wasn’t going to work – so I began to think about where I might plant a tree and after careful consideration, I thought that it might be nice to plant it in a public place where many people might enjoy seeing it grow etc.etc.etc. I began to ask for suggestions which was an interesting process since I then explained why I wanted to plant a tree, but then I had an idea relative to the
David's Eagle Scout Project
possibility of planting a tree in the park in the village where I live (so that I could give something back to my community). I contacted the mayor and was asked to present my request before the monthly village board meeting where I proceeded to read from David’s book and talked about his tree planting Eagle Scout project (something that I’d read about when it originally took place back in 2008, but, as you know, an explanation of which also appears in CoS). After discussion about what kind of tree I wanted to plant took place, a vote was taken by the village trustees and I was granted permission to plant a tree.
The next day, I purchased a Japanese maple tree and a friend (with a truck, thank goodness) went with me after work that night in order to pick up “my little tree” (as I’ve since affectionately come to call it). I wasn’t sure when the tree would be planted as I was told to let village officials know when I’d purchased it and that we’d go from there…in the meantime, I watered “my little tree” just to make sure that it would continue to thrive under my watch. I ordered a little plaque with David’s words from CoS engraved on it to go along with the tree, as well, and finally – on July 22nd, the tree was planted in what is called the Yorkville Senior Citizens Park right here in Yorkville, NY – a place that children and adults truly enjoy(my thanks go out to Mayor Tony L., as well as, to the village trustees and to Larry F. (highway superintendent), John C. and Joe M. (village workers) for their support and assistance relative to this tree planting project)!!
A tree is an awesome thing, don’t you agree?? A tree can provide delicious apples, pears, oranges, cherries…I fondly
remember visiting my grandmother when I was a child and picking cherries from the tree in her yard… A tree can provide beautiful flowers in the springtime – what could be “prettier in pink” than the sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom in our nations capital or the wondrous sight of the golden leaves of autumn that adorn trees everywhere at that time of the year. On a hot, sunny, summer day, trees can provide shade or a place from which to hang a swing or a hammock…and something special seems to happen when one wakes up on a winter morning to see the trees glistening and covered with snow – such a beautiful sight!! Yes, trees are a beautiful thing!! A wonderful Chinese proverb says “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Think about it…
I want to encourage all of you David fans out there to join me by planting a tree… plant a tree in your yard, in your grandma’s yard – it really doesn’t matter where you plant a tree – what matters is that you plant a tree (with permission, of course lol)!! Just remember – …can’t sing… plant a tree!! And, thank-you, David for inspiring me to plant “my little tree”!!! It’s something I’ll never forget!!
~Sharon G
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- Japanese Maple Tree
**The last photo there is what Sharon’s tree will look like when all grown up 
**** Have you been inspired to plant a tree ?? Send in your photo of your tree and we will post it on Fan Scene and tweet David about it! ~ AFD
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What an awesome article and a great idea! I think we should all plant a tree. David would be so excited! And we could make some people really happy! thanks so much for sharing your journey! You didn’t just say words, YOU DID IT! Cool! OK….I am off to figure out a place I can plant a tree too! MunkFOD(Quote)
Awesome MunkFOD! Looking forward to seeing your tree! archiefandoc(Quote)
Awesome! I’m sure the people who visit the park will enjoy that tree. I have 3 of those Japanese Maples myself, they are a gorgeous specimen. David will be touched that you did that
grasshopper(Quote)
This was just great Sharon! So very cool. Junebug(Quote)
Sharon – I don’t think I told you this while were discussing this project — I grew up with a Japanese Maple in my front lawn – literally – it was planted as a sapling when we moved into a new house right after I was born. It was always referred to as my tree. I don’t know why I never thought of this until now – but I think I shall plant one of those trees with my son (before he is already grown up, times running out) — and I certainly can’t sing! ArchieFanDoc(Quote)
Is that tree the tree that you grew up with, AFD? If it is, it’s beautiful. If it isn’t, it’s still beautiful. I wish someone would take a picture of the trees that David and his crew planted during his Eagle Scout Project and post it somewhere.
Thanks for this wonderful article, Sharon! ozarko(Quote)
No Ozarko that is not the tree I grew up with as we moved to another state when I was older – but it looked exactly like that! Nothing beats that crimson color of the Japanese Maple in the fall. archiefandoc(Quote)
I grew up with White Birch, Red Bud trees and (I think) Elm trees which I used to climb as a kid. I always had a tree house. I always liked Willow trees too for some reason. Haven’t seen one of them in a long time. Never thought I would wax nostalgic about trees, but, yeah.
archuletafanscene(Quote)
I planted a weeping willow for each child. These trees grow fast and make neat “caves” when the branches grow out. The kids played under their “willows” when young. One strung a hammock in his and spent his summer in the tree. Another had a pirate cave and buried treasure lol. The girls made a club house in their tree one year. Ah, memories. So yes, I’ll plant another weeping willow at my new house – moving day is today!
Oh, and the bark of the weeping willow contains salicylic acid (aspirin ingredient) and was used for medicinal purposes in ancient times for fever and aches.
Another tree story – my Mom hugged trees. She had us hugging trees as kids. Pretty cool memory and so now I guess I’ll go hug a tree too.
Good stuff. Great idea. Go Green! Kizzi(Quote)
Nice!! Hey I went green just a couple of days ago. I bought myself a Toyota Prius. It’s a hybrid and it gets 50 miles to the gallon!
ozarko(Quote)
My sister has a Prius – she loves it. Go Green is right.
Kizzi(Quote)
That is great! Out of the entire book, that line is what stood out to me the most. It left a very very deep impact on me for many personal reasons. I am so glad you went ahead and did just that! I hope your tree grows tall and pretty and beautiful. I planted a tree just a few weeks before I read COS and I felt so proud of myself, so I know how you must feel <3. Good luck! VeeBee(Quote)
Our middle son planted some trees in a park for his eagle project, so I smiled big when I heard David did that too. In fact, they share a name. Time to plant another tree. It’s always a good idea! daizdfan(Quote)
Great idea! It made me think of this post, too!
http://archuletafanscene.com/2009/12/23/david-archuleta-something-more/ archuletafanscene(Quote)
Sharon great story!! Great idea!! Thanks to David for planting the seed and thank you for reminding us.
David is an inspiration to everyone!! china80(Quote)
Hi Everyone!!
Thank you for your wonderful comments!! I am hoping that David’s fans from coast to coast will accept what really might be considered a challenge (or in some circles – a polite request from me lol) to plant a tree as a tribute to David and everything that he represents – after all, David rocks and trees are a beautiful thing…wouldn’t it be awesome if at least one tree was planted by one of David’s fans in every state from coast to coast and all around the world for that matter!! If you plant a tree, please let me know – it would be great fun to have a map of the U.S. (and the world – for that matter) showing the locations of where trees have been planted in his honor…Project: “Can’t Sing? – Plant a Tree!!”… to quote a phrase – let’s get this party started!!!
sharon g sharon g(Quote)
Thank you so much, Sharon G, for sharing your inspirational story! I hope that many trees will be planted in David’s honor. goldstar(Quote)
This is awesome! Thanks for this terrific story Sharon G! I think David would love it. marc(Quote)
To ArchieFanDoc:
Thank you for letting me know about your Japanese maple tree – it makes me so happy that you knew exactly what I was talking about!! I just hope this sets the wheels in motion for David’s fans everywhere to plant a tree (keeping my fingers crossed)!! Since this has all come about, I find myself gazing at trees so routinely and really taking note of their awesome beauty – we often tend to take things for granted and this experience has really made me appreciate the beauty that surrounds me so much more and the “gifts” that are right there in front of us!! I am truly grateful for the joy that David and his music have brought to my life and planting a tree is just one small way that I can show my appreciation in an effort to make the world a better place (or at least my small part of it),,,My thanks to David for inspiring me and to you and Todd for your support relative to getting this project off the ground and making people aware of Project “Can’t Sing? – Plant a Tree”!! You are both awesome!! Fan Scene rocks!! And, to all of you who read this and have either commented or are thinking about planting a tree – I thank you, as well, and encourage you to join me by planting that tree – after all – it’s for David and it’s a perfect way to let him know how much we love him and his beautiful music!! Let’s show the world what we “David” fans can do!! Let’s get out there and plant a tree!!
sharon g sharon g(Quote)
Thank you Sharon! and thank you to all who plan on participating in Project: Can’t Sing, Plant a Tree — and you can plant a tree even if you can sing! You will be helping our mother Earth and our future generations by planting a tree — Fan Scene will be coming up with additional ways that all can participate in plant a tree project. archiefandoc(Quote)
1000′s of people read David’s book, but Sharon you took action and had to go through many steps to get your tree planted. What a great story! Cheryl (afac)(Quote)